Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The public can now check and compare the prices of consumer products sold at 1,255 retail outlets nationwide by clicking on the 1Malaysia Pengguna Bijak (1MPB) portal.

Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the price of consumer products in the portal would be monitored and updated daily by 1,200 officers from the ministry to ensure that all participating outlets would sell their products at reasonable prices.

"For hypermarkets, they will personally key in the data concerning all changes in their price lists, but for other outlets, the price-watch officers will do that," he told reporters after launching the portal here today.

Developed at a cost of RM1.4 million, the portal can be accessed at www.1pengguna.com. Apart from providing the price list for comparison, the portal is also a platform for consumers to discuss consumerism issues interactively.

Ismail Sabri said the consumers could also file a complaint to the Malaysian Consumer Claims Tribunal through a link provided in the portal.

In his speech earlier, the minister said the introduction of the portal was in line with the current communication and information exploration trend.

"There is an increase in the number of Internet users in Malaysia, that is from 15.8 million users in 2009 to 16.5 million users in 2010. The number will continue to rise to 17.5 million by 2015," he said.

Ismail Sabri said it was also hoped that the portal would enhance the effectiveness of the government's delivery system and hence, bring the government closer to the people.

"It is hoped that through the 1MPB, the people will be able to get first hand information on any changes in the price of consumer products nationwide," he added.